Big Idea Americans faced a social and psychological crisis that resulted in many hardships during the Great Depression.

Shantytown, USA

Soup Kitchen

Direct Relief

The Dust Bowl

The Depression in the Cities People could not pay rents/mortgages Massive Evictions Shantytowns spring up on outskirts of cities

Direct Relief (Not Enough) Soup Kitchens and Bread Lines Provided meals for unemployed and homeless Negative Effects of being on the dole

Minorities in the Depression 50% of African men out of work Mexican Americans targeted and deported

Rural Area Problems High Amounts of Debt Farmers lost land The Dust Bowl adds more hardship

Men, Women, and Children Men faced unemployment – Moved around looking for work Women faced terrible hardships – Often faced with worse troubles than men Children – Health problems – Lack of education

Social and Psychological Effects Loss of will to survive People stopped going to the doctor Young people gave up hope of college Marriage and birth rates dropped Faced with stigma of poverty Financial Security becomes primary focus of many Americans

Yet Hope Springs Eternal… Depression ALSO witnessed – Kindness to strangers – Families helping other families – Shared resources – Strong communities